Automatic fire-extinguishing system.



J. B. BRWIN.

lAPPLICATION' FILED JUNE 12, 1908.

Patel'lted Feb. 16, 1909.

AUTOMATIG FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.

JAMES B. ERWIN, or MILWAUKEE, wisooNsIN.

. AUTOMATIC FIREA-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES B. ERWIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Milwaukee, county of Milwaukee, and State of VViso'onsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Firellxtinguishing Systems, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is among other thii'egs'to provide a fire extinguishing system' for extinguishing tires by gas, byv which, ifk a fire occurs in any oneI of several compartments of a buildin the initial action of a heatcontrolled device located 1n such compartment will be automatically commumcated to a supply of liquid or liquid and dry ducing substances become chemically united,

the lire-extinguishinggas is generated, separated' from the liquid, and led to any one of several compartments of a building where the primary heat controlled devices are located. Second,-to the electrically controlled means by which the initial action of thegprimary heat controlled device is transmitted to the receptacle containing the gasproducing substances, whereby such substances becomechemically united. Third,- to the mechanical means by which a plurality of gas-producing ingredients. are automatically commingled together and also to the primaryheat controlled means located at a distance` by which the initial action of such mechanical means is produced. Fourtl1,-to the means for con'trollingthe course ofthe fire extinguishing'gas, when liberated, from its containing receptacle past any number of compartmentsewhere not reui-red and automatically admitting it to' t at compartment only where required.

p Fifth,-to the means for automatically clos-J ing a passage wa between two or more compartments of a uilding, whereby the tireextinguishing gas will beconfined to the Specification of Letters Patent.

application and June 12, 190s. serial No. 438,015.

Patented seb.' 1e, 1909.

i room only where required. Sixth,to' the general combination and arrangement ofthe several cooperating parts of the system, whereby when a tire occurs in any one of several compartments of a building, the fireextinguishing gas producing substances will become chemically united, -the resultant gas liberated will be led to that compartment only wl-:arethe lire occurs; the openings or passage ways to such -com artment will be closed and .an alarm signa will be given.-

The construction of my lire-extinguishing system is further explained by reference to the accompanying drawing whichrepresents a. Vertical section of several compartments of a building in connection with the preferred form of my fire-.extinguishing system, part in section.' l

' Like parts are identified by the same ref;-

erence characters..

Whilel my fire-extinguishing system contemplates theproduction of a tire-extinguish- ,ing gas either by the chemical union of liquid substances or 'by the union of both liquid and dry substances from which a reextinguishing gas is liberated and while tires may be successfully extinguished with gas produced from the union of eitherof said substances, foreonvenience of description, 1';

herein refer to that system by which the liquid substances are used as the preferred method. l

By the preferred method a quantity of gas generating liquid is stored in the tank l, and another liquid is stored in the invertible tank 2. The tank 2 is preferably supported below its center of gravity from .the inclosing tank l at its respective sides on the trunnions 3, Jizherebythe minimum power is required to invert it. A

4 is a weight which is `connected with the tank 2 at one side of the vertical center, whereby lwhen said tank -is released from its retaining mechanism, it will be inverted by the gravity of said weight and/its con-.1,00 .tents discharged into the inclosiig tank below.

-In practice I preferably store the'l smaller quantity of liquid required in the invertible tank Qyand the larger 'quantity the 105 closing tankv 1.

The tank 2 is 'retained in its no1-'mal up` right position shown in Fig. l by the arm 5 which is preferably -connected with the protruding end of one' ,ofv the trunions Supon 1 10' the outside of. the inclosing tank 1", and is adapted to be engaged at 'its-upper end by the retaining catch (5. Itwill be understood that when the catch 6 is disengaged from the arm 5 said tank 2 will be revolved a onehalf revolution 0n its supporting tiunnioiis when the contents of the receptacle will be discharged through the mouth 7 "ofl the receptacle as stated intoittne iiiclosgng receptacle below, when by the chemical union ot' the two substances tiiusl eonni'ilngled togetner, a tireextlnguisning gas will oe liberated and will pass out o1 the tank l through the uuct to Lne place or places oI `discharge as hereinafter described.A As a preIerre-d means-o1 disengaging the catch G 'lroni the arm 5, an electro-magnet t) is employed which, 1s located beneath' the arm 1U, which arm l() is torined integrally with said catch and the saine is pivotaiiy supported .Ii'oin the standard ll upon the pin l2, whereby when such electro-magnet 9 ls energized, ine' arin l() will be drawn down in contact therewith, thelcatch G will be raised and disengaged trom tne tank retaining arin when said tank will be inverted and its contents discharged. As one means or automatically.

releasing the catch 6,1 preferably provide the several compartments` of the building with a plurality orelectric circuit closers l, which are prererably located along the ceiling and around the most exposed partsofV the roo'in, whereby when the heat in such room exceeds a predetermined temperature said circuit closers will be caused to.act

1 when an electric circuit-will 'be`f'ormed through said circuit closers between the battery 14 or other source of electricalenergy and said electro-magnet 9, whereby the arin 10 will as stated, be drawn into contactwitli the electro-magnet, the catch 6 disengaged from the arm 5the tank 2 inverted and its contents discharged into the liquid below.

` 13. representsan enlarged view of one of the several circuit closers i3, all of which in practice may be substantially the same size,

each of such circuit closers comprising a l base plate 15, an electric'terminal 16, a

switch arm 17, which is pivotally supported from the base plate upon the screw 18, aim actuating spring 19. and a fusible link 20.

The terininlalhltA is connected with'tlhebating where the .re occurs and to prevent it from entering any of the other comparti ments, the outlet ends of the several branch ducts 23 and 2e leading to such compartinents are provided with valves 25 which are pivotally connected with the outlet ends of said ducts by the pins. 26 and areA normally locked in their closed position by the retaining catch 27. The catch 27 is pivotally supported near the discharge end of said duct upon the pin 2S and is normally retained in its locked position by the weight 29, an

actuating spring or in any other convenient manner.`

30 is an electro-magnet which is located in close proximity to the arm 3l, which arm 31 is formed integrally with the catch 27 and is supported bythe same pivot QSL The electro-magnet 30 lis-connected with one of the electric circuit wires 22 whereby when the electric circuit is closed (as hereinbefore described by a rise 0f temperature in any oneof the compartments where a fire occurs) between the battery and the several electro-magnets ofthe system, the valve retaining catch 27 will be simultaneously disengaged from the valve 25 as the gas is gen--A erated` in its retaining' tank, whereby that valve only which is located where the tire occurs will be released the' instant the fire extinguishing gas is liberated and the. gas thus liberated will be led to that compartment only where the tire occurs. i

In v-iew of the fact that the lire extinguishing gas employed is heavier than the atmosphere, I `preferably provide ducts of different sizes in each compartment, the larger.

one 23 being located near the ceiling and the smaller one 24 near the tio-or, whereby -the greater portion of the gas will be led to the upper Apart o45 tbc room whenit gradu-v ally descends and eXt-inguishes the lire with which it comes in contact near the upper part of the'room. while the smaller quantity of gas which is led through the lower duct occur in the lower part of the room. The

d'uct 24 is provided with a'valve and auto-v` matic valve actuating mechanism of substantially the same construction as that connected with the larger duct-23 and such parts are referred to by the same reference numerals.

32 iepreseiit'sfan opening through the partition 33, which .isadapted tobe'closed by 4a curtain or flexible partition 34, one end ot which is wound upon the roller 35, while its opposite en d is fastened to the partition 33 by a plurality of fastening barbs or screws 36. The 'curtain roller 35 is normally supported in placetby the bracket 37 against which it is retained by the lever 38. The lever 38 is pivotally supported Jfrom the bracket 3T upon a pin 39and the lower arm is retained against saidroller 35 by the retaining catch 40, which engages the' upper or opposite arm 110 will extinguish such lires, if any, as may f 41, whereby the lower arm 38 is retained in contact with said roller. 42 'is an electro- -magnet in connection with said'eleetric circuit, whereby as said electric circuit is closed,

the arm 43 is drawn down in contact With said electro-magnet 4Q, whereby the catch 40 is disengaged from the lever .when said curthe opening 36 Ithrough the floor 3T by the weight 38 acting through the flexible-connection 32) operatil'ig over the pulley 39, as `soon as said roller is released. The roller t5 is prevented trom unwinding` by the catch iti which engages the stop i7 o1 .said roller. iben a tirei'occurs in the coiupartn'ient 48, the electric circuit connecting the l'iettery 14 with the several circuit closers t3 in such compartmentwill simultaneously energize the electro-magnet 49. whereby the arm .30 which forms an integral part of the catch 46 will be drau'n'up in contact with the electromagnet 49 whereby the catch 46 .vill bedisengaged'from the roller and thepartition 44 will be drawn across the passage Way 36 by the action of theriveight 3S', as stated.

51 represents a signal 4alarm of ordinary construction Which is connected iviththe battery 52 through the circuit wires 53 and 54 and arm l0, when said arm lt) is brought in contact with theelectro-magnet 0. The Wire 5lis permanently connected with the arm 10',and said arm 10 is brought in connection with the other circuit vvire through the terminal 55, which is located as to contact with said arln 1() as said arm l() brou'rht in contact with the electro-magnet 9.

When mythe-extinguishing system is used in a' large single conumrtmentl` such compartment may be provided with a plurality of inlet gas ducts and each duct provided with a heat or electrically controlled valve which is adapted to receive its initial action from a rise of temperature in or near that part oi the room Where such valve is located whereby when a fire occurs, the gas will be `first ledy through the valve nearest lo such fire where its need is most urgent. vTn case the tire should .spread towards the other inlet valves, they will in like manner be opened and the gas led to such other part of the room where needed while itxvill oitE course be gradually diffused vin all parte of the room regardless of the location of such valve. To further concentrate the gas where -rnost needed in'a single compartment, such compartment may be provided with one or more tire-proof 4,curtains or partitions by which such compartments my be automatically subdivided, in which event each 'voir located in the b:

'come chemically united subdivision of the compartment is provided with a separate branch gas duct and gas controlling valve, whereby the gas admitted will be confined to that subdivision only oil the room .Where the tire occurs. 'It will be understood that the `gas controlling valves in each subdivision are provided with similar heat controlled means to those heretotore described by which they are automatically released when a fire occurs in such pa rticular part of the room.

While the system illustrated and thus t'ar described is shownas supplied from a reser nient of building, it. is obvious that it desired said gt s generating and distril'mting mechanism mayebe connected with the Water supply reservoirs of the ordinary sprinkling system located upon the roof of a building when the water supply ducts of a sprinkling system may in that event be e1n ,)loyed for distributing the gas generated by my system `1n such rese voir.

1t will also be obvious that While the system is shown and described as used in connection with a building, it is with slight modiications equally adapted to be used for pro. tecting marine vessels. While I` have shown and described the tan vs l and 2 adapted to -bc both supplied With a liquid, one of said tanks may.v if desired, be provided with dry, and the other with liquid ingredients Which when commingled together ivill beand a' tire-extinguishing gas liberated.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentsis, l. 1n a system of devices for extinguishing tires with gas, the combination of a receptacle for storing liquid fire extinguishing gas producing substances, sepaiiated from each other, automatic mechanical means for commingling such substances together, a gas duct communicating from the gas `.space above the liquid level in such .receptacle in to the` compartment to be protected from fire,- an electrically controlled valve for closing the discharge end of said duct, a plurality of heat controlled electric circuit Vclosers, located in those parts of the room most exposed to fire at a distance from said valve, a source of electrical energy,.an electric circuit including -said source, circuit stances Will be commingled together, and the gas generated will be led to, and disseminated through all parts of the room Where said circuit closers are located.

2. lin a system ofdevicesfor extinguishv ing tires W1th gas, the combination of 'a receptacle for storing liquid re extinguishing gas producing substances separate from each other, mechanical means for commingling in their closed position, 'electrically con-4 such substances` together, gas. ducts communicating from said receptacle above the liquid therein to the compartment or compartments to be protected from lire, gas actuated valves for .closing the discharge ends of said ducts, 'said valves being adapted` tgfbe opened by the pressure of gas, valve retaining mechanism adapted to normally hold said val-ves trolled means for* disengaging saidv valve retaini'ng mechanism from said valves andpsi multaneo'usly releasing the mechanical 'means by Which said gas producing substances are i. commingled together, heat controlled means .located at a distance from and adapted to produce-the initial action of said electrically controlled means.

3. In a system of devices for extinguishing lires with gas, the combination of a receptacle'for storing liquid'fire extinguishing gas producing substances separate from each A to normally vhold said valves in their closed position, electrically controlled j means for disengaging said valve retaining mechanism from said valves and simultaneously releasing the mechanical means by Which said gas producing substances are commingled together, a plurality of heat controlled circuit closers respectively. located at a 'distance .'froin said inl'et gas controlling valve in the most exposed parts of said compartment or compartmentsA for producing the initial action of said electrically controlled means fand .an electric conductor communicating betvve'en'said circuit closers, valve actuating means, and the echanical means-by which a catch for retaining said revoluble rccep tacle in its upright position, gas ducts communicating from said tirst named receptacle above' the liquid thereinv to the compartment to be protected from fire, valves for closing the discharge ends of said ducts, electrically controlled meansv located at a distance from said valve, for disengaging said receptacle retaining catch and releasing said valves and heat controlled means vtor producing the initial action of said electrically controlled means. l V li, 5. The combination of a gasgenerating tank, a plurality ofseparated liquid, hre ex- "tinguishing gas producing substances located in said tank, automatic mechanical means for commingling said gas producing substances together in said tank,'ducxts comn'.\.u.nicating from said tank above t-hejliquid level therem to the room or rooms'to be protected from fire, valves adapted to close the discharge vends of said ducts, means for normally retaining said valves in their closed position,.movable partitions for closing the openings between the different compartments on. a building, heat controlled means'fonslmultaneously producing the initial action for releasing said gask controlling valves closing the openings between the dierentcompartments Vand for commingling said gas producing .substances together. l

} In testlmony whereof I aiix my signaturein the presence of two Witnesses.-

i' Witnesses:

Y I.'D. 'BREL/nin, 7 O. R. ERWIN.

JAMES B. Envnnffy p 

